The latest on the Washington Nationals' triple-A affiliate in Syracuse from the Chiefs' front office.

Results tagged ‘ Kevin Melillo ’

Spring Training is just a week away for pitchers & catchers and with the weather outside less than appealing to the baseball fan we thought we would give you an up-date on former Chiefs listed on major league rosters as non-roster invitees.

A non-roster invitee is not listed on the 40 man roster and usually is assigned numbers in the 60’s or 70’s. He’s usually the first player cut or he is a veteran who waited too long to sign his contract and is desperate for a job.

Anyway, here’s the up-to-the minute list, less of course the parent Washington Nationals:

We still have a pretty good supply of game-worn pants ($15), belts ($1), and socks ($1/pair).

If you’re interested in stopping by the ballpark to take a look, our normal business hours are Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm, but we ask that you please call (315-474-7833) or email (baseball@syracusechiefs.com) to make an appointment.

Finally, there have been many recent inquiries about the availability of the white home jerseys that the team has worn for the last two years. †Look for these jerseys and the black alternate jerseys to become available through our popular in-game jersey raffles during the 2009 season.

Some notes on tonight’s game which can be heard on Sportsradio 620 WHEN beginning at 7:00 PM. Mike MacDonald (1-0) makes the start for the Chiefs against the Bisons’ John Halama (4-2). Full notes are available on the Chiefs website (syracusechiefs.com) under the stats heading.

SERIES HISTORY

The Chiefs and Bisons meet for their third series of the year–a five game home and home set with two games in Buffalo and three in Syracuse in two days. Syracuse swept a four game series at Dunn Tire Park in April while the Bisons won two of three from the Chiefs at Alliance Bank Stadium in early May. The Chiefs lead the season series 7-4. Buffalo leads the all-time series 463-394 (Chiefs have .460 winning percentage). In the 2008 series, the Chiefs offense is led by Hector Luna (20-44, HR, 8 RBI) while the Bisons are led by Jason Cooper (7-28, 2 HR, 9 RBI)

THRUWAY SERIES

The Chiefs have the current lead in the 2008 Thruway series (Syracuse, Buffalo & Rochester) with a 12-7 combined record. The Red Wings are 11-9 while the Bisons trail with a 8-15 record against their Upstate New York rivals. The last time that the Chiefs own the Thruway series was in 1999. The Bisons have won six of the last eight Thurway season series with Rochester winning the other two.

BEATIN’ UP THE LEFTIES

Among current Chiefs batters, Danny Sandoval leads the way with a .378 average against lefthanders in a Chief uniform (.309 combined between Syracuse and Buffalo). Kevin Mench and Hector Luna also are hitting over .300 against left-handed throwers.

LEFTIES BEATIN’ ‘EM UP

Russ Adams is hitting just .186 against southpaws and Kevin Melillo and Matt Watson are each posting even .200 average against lefthanders in 2008 for Syracuse.

WIN STREAK?

The Chiefs have not won back to back games since June 19-20 against the Richmond Braves. After the 20th, Syracuse has a 7-12 record, increasing their deficit in the division from 1.5 games behind Pawtucket to 9 games trailing the Paw Sox.

* It’s the start of an eight game homestand. You can catch the game on WHEN 620 AM or Time Warner 26 if you can’t make it to Alliance Bank Stadium. First pitch is at 7:15. Kane Davis goes against Jonathan Rouwenhorst. The two matched up on May 28th – a game the Chiefs won 9-1.

* There’s a couple of new players to look for tonight. #21 is Sean Stidfole. He was promoted from New Hampshire during the roadtrip and threw 5 shutout innings. #8 is a familiar face in Curtis Thigpen who’s back with the club after two weeks in Toronto. #15 is Kevin Melillo – he played once in Syracuse but is more regular in the lineup at 2nd or 3rd base now. And #44 Charlie Poe is now the hitting coach in Auburn so there’ll be a player coaching first base from now on.

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.